The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1887-10-27
THE NEW THEOLOGY.
MARTIN LUFHERGOEsTO WORMS
IN EHE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

IN EHE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
A Friend of The Sentinel Tells its Rea-
ders of the Struggle Between ssAn-
dover Theology and Good, DC
Fashioned Orthodoxy.
Special C0,respondence Of The Sentinel.
New HAVEN, Conn, October %
4ale is centre of mental actiyity
for this country. It draws the best
things in the land Sir Henry Drum
mond, author of Natural Law in
Spiritual World" is now visiting the
United States and has given a week to
Yale. He made several addresses and
was given university reception" by
President Dwight. Mr.. Drummondis
book has been popular in North Caro-
lima. The man would be more popu
lar. In appearance he is un-Ameri-
can and is what | conceive to be gen
timely Scotch. He is pleasant
speaker-very clear and sincere. He
has bright eye and a jerky move
lnent OF body. He seems full of 'com-
mon sense"
DR.. Joseph Parker, of London,
spoke in the city few nights since.
His subject was Henry Ward Beech
er. | do not know that North Caro-
lima people are so much interested in
him. DR.. Parker has recently come
into general interest here as the posi-
bic successor of Mr. Beecher.
A second delightful feature Of Yale
is its spirit. 1t has great faith in
Truth. 1t believes Truth to be liv-
ing growing, thing. Truth is divine
and so independent. This faith makes
very great charity and liberality.
have been impressed with this fact in
the past weeks. Everybody well-nigh
has been interested in the "Andover
movement" Many people have grown
angry. Some have been alarmed.
They have felt here that Christianity
would live whatever issue .his move
mert might have. Truth is not de-
pendent upon the speculations of An
dover or the dogmatism of the "Pru-
Dental Committee" of the American
Board. So Yale has been compare
lively cool and comfortable while
pany of the neighbors have been boil
ing.
Undoubtedly last week was Il great
time in New England The "Ando-
yer controversy" has grown into such
general concern that few words upon
it will not be out of place Your read
ers know already the result Of the
meeting at Springfield. What was the
real question The American Board
is the agent of the Congregational
churches of the whole country. The
churches send out their missionaries
and pay them through this Board This
Board is close corporation Of about
three hundred members with power TO
perpetuate itself There being no
central power or authority in congre-
gationalism some such agent is necas-
sary to successful missionary effort OF
the local churches. Each church is
Independent in congregationalism.
Orthodoxy is determined BY Councils
of churches convened for definite pur-
poses. 1t has come to pass that many
preachers subscribe to the speculative
theory, future probation" so called.
Then preachers are generally settled
over churches. These churches con-
tribute largely to the funds disbursed
by the American Board. In this State
OF things young man applies to the
Board to be sent as a missionary. The
Board learns that this young man is
inclined to the tenet of future proba-
ton" and on this ground declines to
send him. Those in sympathy with
this speculation insist that the young
man be sent. The board refuses. I|
should have explained that the Board
acts through a committee termed the
Prudential Committee. This stand
of the committee elevates it at once to
being a test of orthodoxy. Il stands
thus above the churches and applies a
standard different from that of many
of the churches. The opponents Of
the Board claim that this is utterly
un congregational and violates the
principle of Congrega-
tional polity. Such was the real issue
at Springfield. The conservative ele-
ment in the churches supported the
action Of the Prudential Committee
and thus showed lack. of faith in
Congregational polity.
As | have said, the contest was in
many respects noted one. The great
lights of the church were there. The
eyes ofa large part of the world look
ed in upon them. 1t was the old fight
npon somewhat new grouud. Luther
at Worms once more. How long be-
fore men shall get permission to think?
When will the day come when Truth
will be no longer decided by the army
of swords-or hands? s'Since they
would not follow us, we forbade them,
Lord" H. H. w.